nbn’s Special Access Undertaking (SAU) is an undertaking given by nbn to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The SAU is a key part of the regulatory framework that governs the prices and non-price terms on which nbn – as a wholesale open access telecommunications network – supplies services to retail phone and internet companies.
nbn's SAU was originally accepted by the ACCC on 13 December 2013. It was subsequently varied in April 2021 to extend specific product development and dispute resolution provisions, and varied again in October 2023 to introduce significant new price and non-price commitments. The ACCC’s decision to accept nbn’s 2023 SAU variation followed an extensive consultation process between the ACCC, nbn and industry stakeholders including retail service providers and consumer advocacy groups.
Following the 2023 variation, the scope of the SAU covers wholesale Layer 2 services provided over each of nbn’s networks (FTTP, FTTN, FTTB, FTTC, HFC, Fixed Wireless and the Sky Muster® satellite network).
The SAU has a modular structure and distinguishes between commitments applicable during the Initial Regulatory Period (from the SAU Commencement Date until 30 June 2023), the Subsequent Regulatory Period (from the end of the Initial Regulatory Period until 30 June 2032) and the Post-2032 Regulatory Period. The SAU establishes a ‘Replacement Module’ process for determining particular regulatory settings that will apply to each Regulatory Cycle (of between 3 to 5 years) within the Subsequent Regulatory Period and Post-2032 Regulatory Period.
The SAU works in conjunction with the Wholesale Broadband Agreement (WBA), the commercial contract between nbn and its customers.
Pricing documents
The SAU contains a package of measures designed to promote transparency and forward-looking price certainty for retail service providers. These measures include, but are not limited to, a commitment to annually publish a Tariff List and Three-year Pricing Roadmap, and to publish a Statement of Pricing Intent ahead of each three-to-five-year Regulatory Cycle.
FY24 Tariff List and FY24-FY26 Pricing Roadmap
This FY24 Tariff List covers the period 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2024. The FY24-FY26 Three-year Pricing Roadmap covers the period 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2026. Both documents are published in accordance with the SAU.
FY25 Tariff List and FY25-FY27 Pricing Roadmap
This FY25 Tariff List covers the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. The FY25-FY27 Three-year Pricing Roadmap covers the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027. Both documents are published in accordance with the SAU.
Statement of Pricing Intent: 1 December 2023 – 30 June 2026
This Statement of Pricing Intent applies from 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2026 and is published in accordance with the SAU.
SAU price control models
The Weighted Average Price Control (WAPC) models for FY24-25 and FY25-26 are provided by nbn in support of the FY24-26 Three-year Pricing Roadmap.
The SAU Price Control Model for FY25-27 is provided by nbn in support of the FY25 Tariff List and FY25-FY27 Three-year Pricing Roadmap.
FY25 Price Control Compliance Statement
The FY25 Price Control Compliance Statement is published in accordance with the SAU.
Annual Service Improvement Plan
Under Module 4 of the SAU, nbn is required to publish an Annual Service Improvement Plan (ASIP) detailing initiatives which have the purpose of enhancing the RSP and/or end user experience that are planned to commence or continue in the coming financial year and which nbn expects will incur material capital or operating expenditure.
The ASIP is intended to capture and provide transparency on the key initiatives that underpin our forecast expenditure for uplifting customer experience and service performance for the Regulatory Cycle, and complements existing engagements that nbn has with RSPs on a range of product and service related matters.
The current ASIP is published below.
Last updated 1 May 2024